Leviste makes equestrian history

Toni Leviste made history as she emerged as the first Filipino to win an international dressage event in Europe.

Leviste shone, posting 68.80 percent to secure the title in the FEI Prix St. Georges class of the Flamelle Concours de Dressage National in Belgium last 19 July.

Aboard a Hanoverian gelding in Lacoste 126, the 51-year-old Leviste dazzled the competitive field composed of the finest riders in Europe, enough to impress four-star International Equestrian Federation (FEI) judges F. Mleyman and Michele Bouvy.

It is the first time for a Filipino to win the an FEI-level dressage event in Europe, cementing Leviste’s legacy as one of the best equestrianne in the country.

Aside from making history, Leviste also secure her spot in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December as her score of 68.80 percent formally surpassed the qualifying mark of 67 percent established by the Philippine Equestrian Federation.

But more than that, the victory is yet another jewel on her crown after she served as the first Filipino equestrianne who competed in the Summer Olympics in Sydney in 2000, World Championships, and FEI World Finals. She also won a silver medal in the Busan Asian Games in 2002 and numerous medals in the SEA Games.

She is staying in Europe to train for the SEA Games, the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya next year and several qualifying tournaments for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.